Pages

September 22, 2009

Welcome back, dearest autumn!

In my souls bells are ringing, proclaiming the return of my perpetually favourite season. Today soft precipitation continues to fall, milky grey skies etching out a gentle backdrop for the increasingly golden leaves that line the busy neighbourhood streets. As the hours of the first day of autumn tick merrily by, I find myself reflecting on the great many elements of this time of the year that I treasure, from chilly – but not quite freezing – nights to the desire to add cinnamon and nutmeg to nearly everything I bake.

With fall’s arrival I feel suddenly more at peace with the word, which isn’t to say I was at odds with it, but rather that with each leaf that flutters off into the wind, the world is – if only for a moment – taking one of my worries or burdens with is. As I glance out the large living room window, water droplets bouncing like exploding popcorn kernels on railing of the balcony, the words of a Longfellow poem that is perfectly fit for autumn’s rebirth spring to mind...

Autumnby Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Thou comest, Autumn, heralded by the rain,

With banners, by great gales incessant fanned,

Brighter than brightest silks of Samarcand,

And stately oxen harnessed to thy wain!

Thou standest, like imperial Charlemagne,

Upon thy bridge of gold; thy royal hand

Outstretched with benedictions o'er the land,

Blessing the farms through all thy vast domain!

Thy shield is the red harvest moon, suspended

So long beneath the heaven's o'er-hanging eaves;

Thy steps are by the farmer's prayers attended;

Like flames upon an altar shine the sheaves;

And, following thee, in thy ovation splendid,

Thine almoner, the wind, scatters the golden leaves!

Such eloquent words to capture how I feel on this tranquil Tuesday, my mind filled with thoughts about the upcoming season and the myriad of elements that I adore about it.

The following Flickr mosaic is comprised of some of my very favourite fall experiences, flavours, sites and memories. What, my dear readers, are some of the things that you adore most about fall?

Autumn, you have been missed and pined for dearly, I hope that you will grace us with your presence for quite some time. Do your best to keep Old Man Winter at bay, but know that I fully understand you cannot exist forever. While you’re with us, I vow to appreciate your subtle intricacies, resplendent beauty and ingrained joys every single day!

Sweet thoughts!! Love the mosaic and really love the change in seasons. I am blessed to live in an area that has all 4 seasons very distinctly. While I always enjoy the coming of a new one I am always a bit sad to see the passing one go.Bring on those pumpkin spice candles!! :))

Lovely post as ever. I love walking on the crinkling and ever changing coloured leaves, walking through their fallen piles and kicking them up into the air and watching them flutter so softly back to the ground like I use to do when i was a child. The colours are so amazingly beautiful that this season really does make you remember the beauty and real, natural colours of Mother Nature! xx

Summer and Autumn are my favorite seasons!! I wish Autumn could stay in place of Winter and then just turn into Spring with the cool crisp and a little bit wet air and turn right back into sumemr again :)

I'm super excited about autumn as well! Lovely post. I just love the collecation of autumn photos, they made me feel warm and cozy. I really love that cute little squirrel and the apple pie, mmmm.Hope you had a lovely first day of fall :)

Beautiful post Jessica! I awoke this morning to a nice morning breeze in the air for a change. Looks like it's just around for us too! Here in Arizona it takes a little longer to really feel the effects of fall. However, I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival. Lovely photo collage, it really speaks all the elements of a cozy fall season!

@ Simply Colette, thank you, sweetie, I hope that some semblance of autumn will come your way. It would be very hard for me to go without experiencing this wonderful season, too.

@ Kathie, thank you, my fellow lover of all things autumn! :)

@ Love the Decor!, you really are blessed! I sometimes joke that up here in Canada we only have summer and winter because spring and autumn can feel like they last all of half an hour each (in many parts of the country). I agree with you, there is certain bitter-sweetness that comes with watching one season melt into the other, but at least we know it's only a matter of time until each one rolls around again.

@ Pink Flower, beautifully said, my dear. You are far from alone in your adoration of playing nostalgically in fallen piles of delicate, rust and crimson hued leaves. I too feel the same way and prance through fallen autumn leaves every chance I get :)

@ Maggi, the scents of fall hold so much of this season's appeal to me, too. I couldn't imagine October arriving without the scent of dry leaves, orchard fresh apples, slow cooked meals, and chilly night air.

@ Keith, thank you very much! I hope you enjoyed every day of your favorite season!

@ Trains and Sewing Machines, many years I feel that same way, too. Canadian winters can be so wretchedly cold and snowy at times. Come February it's all one can do, as they trod through a foot of snow, not to shed a tear, wishing that it was once again May or October again.

@ Lizzy, I had a wonderful first day of autumn, sweet heart, thank you very much! Celebrated by jumping in the kitchen and making DH and I a scrumptious supper of Indian food, reading poetry and writing letters late into the evening.

@ Syd, thank you very much for your lovely comment! How wonderful the first hints of autumn are beginning to poke up for you. I hope you have a gorgeous fall, honey!

@ Karyn, oh my goodness gracious, how is it possible that you temperatures keep getting warmer as the summer gets further and further away? ;D !08 is utter madness any time of the year, but a mere week away from October, that's beyond crazy! I will continue to keep my fingers tightly crossed for you, sweet dear, that autumn (and it's generally much saner temps) reaches you soon!

Thank you so much everyone for your fantastic comments! Huge wishes of autumn cheer and joy to you all!

I'm Jessica, a lifelong lover of all things antique and vintage, especially those from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

This blog is my visual scrapbook in which I record and share my thoughts on the multitude of sources, people and products that inspire and feed a modern gal's addiction to the past. I also post about the vintage clothes, hairstyles and make-up looks that I adore wearing.

Stay a spell and have a blast as we explore the incomparably fantastic world of vintage history and fashion together.

All images used on this site are credited to their original posters/creators/sources,
however if at any time you would prefer not to see one of your images here, please email me and I'll take it down right away.

PS...I just wanted to say thank you very much for visiting and to tell you that you're equal parts awesome and beautiful.